You are here:
- Home
- News/Issues
- Immigration Issues
- English as a Second Language
English as a Second Language/Questions Answered by Expert Sebastian
| Subject | Date Asked |
| english | 11/21/2009 |
| Q: i have to sit for an exam.can u give me some sites that give reliable formats for ... A: So sorry for the delay. Links: http://www.howtocomplain.com/info/cl-template.shtml ... | |
| grammar question | 11/17/2009 |
| Q: I have a few grammar questions for you.My first question is are the following two sentences ... A: The 'Chinese parents...' bit is correct, and you can (rather than should) roll both sentences into ... | |
| I need help to correct grammar mistakes | 11/13/2009 |
| Q: HANDLING ADVERSITY It was summer of the 2008, when Linda got her working permit status in Canada. ... A: Sorry for the delay > It was summer of the 2008 It was summer of 2008 > Two month after obtained ... | |
| proofreading | 11/11/2009 |
| Q: Please help me proofread the essay below: Will there always be wars? In my opinion, wars ... A: Sorry for the delay I've really got nothing to correct there, your writing's getting better and ... | |
| about sentence correction | 11/10/2009 |
| Q: correct the following foulty sentences 1.my sister is a student.who never betrays a confidence. ... A: 1. My sister is a student who never betrays a confidence. 2. It's correct as it is. 3. Helen walked ... | |
| Use of articles with proper names | 11/9/2009 |
| Q: I am learning English and do not understand the use of articles in cases when a proper name is ... A: Again, very interesting question Regarding Sarkozy, yes you're right: it's a distinction made ... | |
| Use of articles with proper names | 11/8/2009 |
| Q: I am learning English and do not understand the use of articles in cases when a proper name is ... A: Very interestingthe difference's that 'John', in the first example, is constantly 'old', and/or his ... | |
| Occupational english test | 11/1/2009 |
| Q: . i registered in exam called occupational english test(like ielts or toefl) but i would like to ... A: The only way to increase your speaking level is simply speaking a lot of English, by any method ... | |
| how to hear and write a long passage? | 11/1/2009 |
| Q: Sebastian.Suppose you are listening a long passage.In this passage, there is a long blank which ... A: The best strategy for those cases is to be well-acquainted with collocations and common phrases. For ... | |
| homophones and words families | 10/26/2009 |
| Q: to Yesterday and Yellow Submarine words problem of decision after "cart and horse" situation I would ... A: I suppose 'Yesterday' could come first since it's more related to the past. 'Yellow Submarine' does ... | |
| Grammar | 10/23/2009 |
| Q: How do you suggest to teach grammar? A: I suggest grammar to be integrated to the way it's applied, and not to be the first aspect to be ... | |
| Grammar | 10/18/2009 |
| Q: 1. Turn around! You are going the wrong way. Make a U-turn! You are going the wrong way. Do both ... A: 1. Not necessarily, but they're often close enough. 2. 'Undersized' would only be used if the ... | |
| Idioms and concord | 10/18/2009 |
| Q: What are the tips for idioms and concord in reaching thesame answer with the other people idea A: My only tip is to use them as many times as possible until you develop some sort of intuition for ... | |
| Grammar | 10/16/2009 |
| Q: Does the word “drug” refer to either “medicine” or “an illegal drug” such as heroin or marijuana? ... A: Drug can mean either one of them. The difference is all in the context: 'he has a drug problem' ... | |
| proofreading | 10/12/2009 |
| Q: Please help me proofread the eassy below and give me some feedback. Introduction: Drug use is a ... A: Absolutely no mistakes. Congratulations. However, you're 10 words short of the minimum - try ... | |
| My CET-4 COMPOSITION | 10/11/2009 |
| Q: I have a writing here, can you read over it? Title(given) Free admissions to Museum ... A: Some mistakes: * There also a heated debated on that whether we should open museums doors Should ... | |
| ...there was no bus/ Is there a tin-opener in the house? | 10/8/2009 |
| Q: a) We had to walk home because there was no bus/no buses/wasn't a bus/weren't any buses. What ... A: Only these forms are correct (interchangeable as well): * ... there was no bus ... * ... there were ... | |
| Are Not a/an and Not any interchangeable ? | 10/7/2009 |
| Q: Can we always use not a/an instead of not any? (for example I am a doctor, I am not a doctor, I am ... A: No, they're not interchangeable, as they have different functions: * Not a(n) works for things like ... | |
| CLOZE | 10/6/2009 |
| Q: I am a vocational college student in China.What Puzzles me a lot is how to deal with a ... A: You've still got time to practise a lot, but first of all, try being as motivated and positive as ... | |
| Grammar | 10/4/2009 |
| Q: 1. I Plan to send in my registration tomorrow. I plan to send my registration tomorrow. What’s the ... A: 1. None: they're totally interchangeable for that context. 2. Taken from wiktionary: At least he ... | |
| Grammar | 9/25/2009 |
| Q: 1. According to a newspaper poll in 1983, Ann Landers, an advice columnist, was regarded as one of ... A: 1. The thing is, 'poll' and 'questionnaire' are not the same, especially in the cited sentence. But, ... | |
| Expression | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: I have often hear people say "to cast your sacred vote." I just want to know what's the origin of ... A: AFAIK, it comes from Thomas Paine's (18th century intellectual and one of the founding fathers of ... | |
| Conversations | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: 1. (1.) A: How often do you go to your English class (or classes)? B: (1.) Every week. ( Once a ... A: (1) Yes (2) While it is vague, it's not incorrect. Such 'always' is obviously figurative. ... | |
| Conversations | 9/18/2009 |
| Q: Do all the conversations below make sense? A: What do you think of my weight loss plan for my ... A: A: What do you think of my weight loss plan for my wedding? B: You don’t need to lose any weight! ... | |
| the use of "the rest" | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: I wonder if "the rest" is singular or plural: 1. Three of us will go, the rest is/are to stay here. ... A: Actually, it depends on what the speaker or writer means: if 'the rest' is treated as a unity (i.e. ... | |
| areas for government spending | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: Assess the most important areas for government spending 'education divides,rather than ... A: I think the problem is not education, but the way it tends to be used as a manipulation device. ... | |
| modern design | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: Can modern design be concerned with beauty in an age of mass production?1) whats your notes on ... A: It can, but 'beauty' itself is an ambiguous concept. Still, even mass-produced items can be ... | |
| learning a foreign language | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: Is learning a foreign language worth the time & effort?1) whats your notes on interpreting question, ... A: I think it is because it allows you to: * Understand another culture (each language is a process ... | |
| offensive language ever be acceptable | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: Can offensive language ever be acceptable in music or film?1) whats your notes on interpreting ... A: I think it should, because sometimes films and music portray in-depth social situations in a ... | |
| benefits of technology | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: 'the benefits of technology are mostly enjoyed by the rich.' do you agree?1) whats your notes on ... A: I agree because technology goes with economical interests. Take medicine for instance: new drugs, ... | |
| conservation of the sea's resources | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: How important is the conservation of the sea's resources?1) whats your notes on interpreting ... A: It is very important since most of those resources cannot be recovered or fabricated afterwards, ... | |
| donation of healthy body | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: 'the donation of healthy body parts or organs after death should be compulsory.' do you agree?1) ... A: I do not agree with it: people are free to decide what to do with their bodies once they have passed ... | |
| posses weapons of war | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: Should every country have the right to posses weapons of war?1) whats your notes on interpreting ... A: I don't think war is the way to look for peace. It's like trying to drop weight by increasing ... | |
| meaning of the words "just" and "simply" | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: What is the meaning of the words "just" and "simply" in the following sentences? 1."You shouldn't ... A: They're indeed used to emphasise: * 'You shouldn't think he's innocent just because he was found ... | |
| word order with modal verb "should" in questions | 9/14/2009 |
| Q: I hope you can help me with this confusion. Consider the following questions: 1. What clothes should ... A: The difference is that the second question is a compound sentence. For those cases, the first goes ... | |
| sentences | 9/13/2009 |
| Q: Please help me proofread the sentences below: 1. How would you deal with the death of one of your ... A: 1 is correct, same as 3 and 4. 2, I'd change for: 'I think social changes are both good and bad: ... | |
| conversations | 9/5/2009 |
| Q: 1. A: Wouldn’t you like me to fax this for you? B: I haven’t faxed it. According to my grammar ... A: > A: Wouldn’t you like me to fax this for you? > B: I haven’t faxed it. > According to my grammar ... | |
| essay | 9/4/2009 |
| Q: Please help me proofread my final draft and give me some feedback. Introduction: In every field ... A: First of all, your essay's way too long (253 words). Second of all, you use the word 'success' (and ... | |
| conversations | 8/30/2009 |
| Q: I have created some conversations below. Do all of them make sense? A: What was the weather like ... A: A: What was the weather like earlier? B: The sky was very clear this morning. *** Correct A: How ... | |
| conversations | 8/21/2009 |
| Q: I have created some conversations below. Please help me proofread them. A: The school bus will be ... A: >>> A: The school bus will be here any minute. >>> B: You have to get going. I’ll see you later. ... | |
| Subject verb agreement | 8/20/2009 |
| Q: Recently while taking a class, I got stumped by a question asked by one of my students. I had this ... A: In a nuthsell, the auxiliary verb already implies the modifiers: * Mary was running --> The verb ... | |
| English language qualification equivalencies | 8/19/2009 |
| Q: Could you tell me of any sources I can refer to when making English language qualification ... A: A2 = KET = IELTS 3.0 = TOEFL IBT 30 B1 = PET = IELTS 3.5 = TOEFL IBT 40 B2 = FCE = IELTS 5.0 = TOEFL ... | |
| Sentences | 8/16/2009 |
| Q: Are all the sentences below grammatically correct? This plan is economical of time and money. The ... A: > This plan is economical of time and money. This plan is economical IN time and money. > The ... | |
| future tenses | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: I , as an english teacher , face a big problem : how can i choose between ( present continuous) when ... A: sorry for the delay Look, regardless of what grammarians say, most people tend to use both forms ... | |
| question | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: how can i develope the students' skills to learn english ? A: There's no universal recipe, so you're gonna have to work step by step and keep an eye on each ... | |
| language | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: we are syrian teachers group we'd like you to inform us about the releative clauses. thank you in ... A: Relative clauses are simply made to save you time and space: * Schumacher was expected to come ... | |
| preferences | 8/8/2009 |
| Q: please can you give me in brief : when we use the linking words such as , while , after , first , ... A: * While: In the meantime - 'while you're here, make yourself comfortable'. * After: In a later ... | |
| writing help | 8/6/2009 |
| Q: It's of our pleasure to introduce ourselves to you. We are teachers of English interested in ... A: 1 - Coming up with original ideas: modern world gets them used not to use imagination, only to be ... | |
| Letter | 8/5/2009 |
| Q: Sebastian, Could you please review below practice letter, and kindly correct any mistakes. Dear ... A: Corrections: 'I regret to say that we want to...' --> 'I'm afraid we want to...' (regret isn't ... | |
| camera can never lie | 8/5/2009 |
| Q: My exams is coming, I'm doing my own revision on essays. The question is "The camera can never lie. ... A: i) Since lying is a deliberate action, and cameras can't think, they can't lie or make-up ... | |
| Can music contribute anything | 8/3/2009 |
| Q: i)Can you give some clear examples, please? ii) what are suggestion & area of discussion on the ... A: i) I think music can contribute to awareness if the artists set a good example. For instance, when ... | |
| Request letter | 8/2/2009 |
| Q: Sebastian. I have been preparing for an English exam. Please review following sample letter & help ... A: There's absolutely nothing wrong with your letter, so there are no grammar or spelling corrections. ... | |
| Intrepreting question | 8/2/2009 |
| Q: ''A family with no children is not a family at all. Discuss" What is your intrepreting of the ... A: Children are important for the following reasons: * Survival of the family name * Strengthening the ... | |
| grammar question | 7/31/2009 |
| Q: in the following sentence, what does "get used to it" mean. The sentence is in an article that talks ... A: In the context you give me, 'get use to it' is instructing the reader to work a lot and to accept ... | |
| IELTS Test Marking Procedure | 7/31/2009 |
| Q: I have a similar quesiton for you. I have given the IELTS Test twice now, and each time I have ... A: If you're willing to re-sit the IELTS, I recommend you this free preparation web: ... | |
| Letter writing | 7/30/2009 |
| Q: Sebastian, Could you please review below practice letter, and kindly correct any mistakes. Dear ... A: > I am the eldest son of my family You could change 'of' by 'in', since you're technically only the ... | |
| On tv sex n violence | 7/28/2009 |
| Q: Hai, do you mind explain & describe to me what this whole sentence means, please "Television sex and ... A: The sentence means that the sex and violence you see on TV is merely a product (and not a cause) of ... | |
| Grammar | 7/27/2009 |
| Q: 1.These pants are too big on (or for) me. Does using “for” change the meaning of the sentence? 2. ... A: 'Too big on me': When I'm wearing them, they look bigger than normal 'Too big for me': They're ... | |
| Letter writing | 7/27/2009 |
| Q: Sebastian, Could you please review below practice complain letter, and kindly correct any ... A: Revised version: Dear Mr. Mark Bourne, I am Jason Zayan living in Primrose Garden. I have rented a ... | |
| Sentences | 7/24/2009 |
| Q: 1. Do all the conversations below make sense? A: How do you feel about the upcoming job interview? ... A: >>> A: How did you know the owner of that store? >>> B: I used to work at that store. It's correct, ... | |
| Sentences | 7/19/2009 |
| Q: 1. I’d like to reschedule my appointment, but my days are really full. Does "my days are really ... A: > Does "my days are really full" mean "my schedule is full"? Yes. > Approval is required when the ... | |
| Sentences | 7/18/2009 |
| Q: Are all the sentences below grammatically correct? Relaxation (Relaxing) is important because it ... A: > Relaxation (Relaxing) is important because it helps sustain your energy for a long time. Both ... | |
| writing an essay | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: We are trainers in ICT Syria Homs .We would like to ask you some questions about writing an essay ... A: 1. A main idea, some secondary ones, a structure and an informative conclusion (or lack thereof). ... | |
| teaching english | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: -Can we use Arabic language in the class room? -How can we teach grammar through the course;at the ... A: Using Arabic (or any other language) is OK as long as you don't depend too much on it. Some people ... | |
| question | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: the steps of writting an essay about factors of successful marriage A: 1. Be clear about your main idea or claim. 2. Organise principal and secondary thoughts. 3. Write an ... | |
| questions | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: how to help students develop their way of spelling? the elements of writting an essay? the most ... A: To develop spelling, try making them spell loads of words, starting off by the common ones (e.g. ... | |
| toefl | 7/15/2009 |
| Q: Could you recommend a website that I could trust to take the Toefl test? Ando Do I need to buy the ... A: http://www.gettoefl.com/practice.htm http://esl.about.com/cs/toefl/a/a_toefl.htm ... | |
| english as a secondary language | 7/15/2009 |
| Q: how teach English as a secondary language, i am an English teacher and i find real difficulties in ... A: Teaching isn't a discipline but a multi-disciplinary activity, without magic formulae. Before ... | |
| simple present | 7/15/2009 |
| Q: 1- what is the form of it ? 2- how can we make the negative form? 3- usage A: 1. Subject(s) + Verb(s) + Object(s). Example: * I want it that way --- I : Subject --- Want: Verb ... | |
| Grammar | 7/12/2009 |
| Q: 1.Are all the sentences below grammatically correct? They would have ordered more supplies, but the ... A: > This conference room can accommodate/hold (or allow?) up to 250 people (seats.) The three of them ... | |
| proofreading | 7/10/2009 |
| Q: I have revised the essay that we discussed earlier. Please help me proofread it and give me some ... A: First of all, I don't know if the essay is originally yours, but in either case, it's way too long ... | |
| Grammar | 7/9/2009 |
| Q: I have questions about the text below: The second step is to concentrate on the class and study ... A: 1. 'Good attendance...' is more formal since it justifies the upcoming imperative mood. 2. ... | |
| Confused about aspects of verbs | 7/9/2009 |
| Q: I'm trying really hard to understand what is meant by "aspect" as it relates to verbs. For example, ... A: I'm sorry about confusing you previously. And you're absolutely right: I need to keep it simple. ... | |
| Grammar | 7/8/2009 |
| Q: I have some questions regarding the text below: There are 3 important ways about me to prepare ... A: The best option for 1 is 'there are three ways that I use to prepare...' 2. Yes, it's up to you. ... | |
| Confused about aspects of verbs | 7/8/2009 |
| Q: I'm trying really hard to understand what is meant by "aspect" as it relates to verbs. For example, ... A: Basically, English only has two tenses: present and past. The way they work is further defined by ... | |
| Verb 'to be': plural or singular? | 6/27/2009 |
| Q: I have a problem choosing the right verb 'to be' in sentences like this: "All that I need to know is ... A: Yes, you're right: - 'All I need...' is one entity (i.e. singular), so it's 'is'. - 'The ... | |
| IELTS assessment | 6/25/2009 |
| Q: Sebastian I have a question regarding the assessment of the IELTS I've heard complaints from ... A: I've been an IELTS bespoke coach for several years and have sat the test itself twice, and never ... | |
| noun | 6/23/2009 |
| Q: whether the names of the flowers are common noun or propoer noun? because i read a passage where the ... A: All names of species (vegetable, fungi, animal, etc) are common nouns: hibiscus, mushroom, seal... ... | |
| the + family name+ s | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: In English "s" following a family name preceded by "the" refers to the entire family, e.g., the ... A: I've always seen the Bush family referred to as The Bushes (e.g. Peter Schweizer's book 'Portrait of ... | |
| contextual analysis | 6/16/2009 |
| Q: In an essay, Joan Didion wrote: in Las Vegas, there is no "time," no night and no day and no past ... A: What she means is that bulletins weren't produced in specific periods (daily, weekly, monthly) but ... | |
| English grammer | 6/16/2009 |
| Q: I just want to ask a simple question from you and i hope your answer will help us a lot. One day my ... A: They're both correct but they've got different meanings: - 'I'm watching the girls' means that I'm ... | |
| future | 6/16/2009 |
| Q: what do this lines mean? I like surprises, I don't want my whole life planned out beforehand. i ... A: The person who's saying the cited lines prefers unexpected things, which is reflected both in a more ... | |
| Grammar | 6/15/2009 |
| Q: 1. He came back to the office again because he forgot to lock the door. He came back to the office ... A: 1. They're completely interchangeable. 2. No: the second is gramatically correct but makes no sense ... | |
| english grammar | 6/15/2009 |
| Q: how about this[you must go and see that new film,you`ll really enjoy it] I read it in an english ... A: In that case, it's a figurative command, emphasising the film's so good it'd be a pity not to be ... | |
| english grammar | 6/14/2009 |
| Q: 1-you[mustn`t-don`t have to]make a noise,the baby is asleep. 2-we[mustn`t-shouldn`t-needn`t]make ... A: 1. Mustn't 2. Shouldn't 3. Both 4. Should 5. Both 6. Mustn't 'Should' is an advice, 'must' is an ... | |
| graa | 6/12/2009 |
| Q: 1. I have added a few sentences to your revision of my essay. Please help me proofreading again. ... A: About the essay: - Were both drivers drunk? If so, no problem; it not, the statement 'one of the ... | |
| Grammar | 6/11/2009 |
| Q: I have revised a short student composition from an English magazine. Please help me proofread my ... A: While the second one has more grammatical fluency, I actually prefer the first one. Reasons: - ... | |
| turn on the fall of a leaf | 6/11/2009 |
| Q: I'm not sure if you're the right person to ask but I'll try. Could you please paraphrase this phrase ... A: The way I understand it (especially because of the late Sir John's style) it's a very classy way to ... | |
| poster and pamphlet | 6/8/2009 |
| Q: i have to make a poster on rain water harvesting and a pamphlet on check pollution. please help me A: Both the poster and pamphlet should be concise, so try using few words: - Rainwater harvesting: --- ... | |
| question | 6/5/2009 |
| Q: "dear Sebastian all of dictionaries ive ever seen like long man and ... A: There's no perfect dictionary, but you may use a combination of devices: http://www.wiktionary.org/ ... | |
| question | 6/5/2009 |
| Q: dear sebastian i had a big problem understanding when to use present perfect until you told me use ... A: You may use passive voice when the object of the sentence is the focal point rather than the ... | |
| Grammar | 6/4/2009 |
| Q: 1. Ex: Dad will come back in five minutes, so let's put away the toys and clean up the room. In ... A: About the first question, yes, but you need to change the rest as well: 'Dad will not come back for ... | |
| references to McDonald's and McNuggets | 6/2/2009 |
| Q: I would very much appreciate if you could explain to me whether the below references to McDonal's ... A: It's a bit of both: not McDonald's and McNuggets literally, but fast-food and nuggets in general, ... | |
| test | 5/31/2009 |
| Q: i am an asian student. here in my country there are tests for the admission in different institution ... A: It always depends on the sort of test your university's making you take. But maybe these videos for ... | |
| question | 5/29/2009 |
| Q: dear Sebastian i have searched google for difference between present perfect and past simple but i ... A: In practice, they can be interchangeable a lot of times, and usually past simple is more common in ... | |
| question | 5/29/2009 |
| Q: dear sebastian im confused in understanding of difference between use of the past simple and present ... A: Past simple usually means either: - Actions that took place in an exact point in time (always in ... | |
| independent clause / subordinate clause | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: What is the correct form in these sentences? "next time" or "the next time"? - Next time / The next ... A: Yes, you're absolutely right: it's not about being independent or subordinate, it's about including ... | |
| quotes | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: can you please help me explain these sentences. they're all related to our discussion about love. ... A: 1. It means that altruism and generosity would be key elements in improving the world. 2. It ... | |
| "next time" or "the next time"? | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: What is the correct form in these sentences? "next time" or "the next time"? - Next time / The next ... A: For the first case, 'next time' is the only correct form, although they can be both understood. The ... | |
| I'll see you again (the) next week/ the week after / the following week. | 5/25/2009 |
| Q: What is the difference in meaning between these sentences? -I'll see you again the next week. -I'll ... A: They're all, for the most part, interchangeable, but occasionally they could also imply different ... | |
| Comma | 5/23/2009 |
| Q: Why does the LDOCE Online Dictionary (http://www.ldoceonline.com/) use a comma before "that"? For ... A: Commas are used, in academic contexts, to separate dependent and independent clauses: 'An upright ... | |
English as a Second Language
Answers by Expert:
Sebastian
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I've been teaching and tutoring ESL and EFL learners for years, and have experience in international exams as well - you can ask me any questions about IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge tests (KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE, BEC, TKT). Of course I don't know 'everything', but I'll be more than happy to research as much as I can. I've also got diplomas in Language Systems & Background to Language Learning & Teaching, Lesson Planning & Use of Resources for Language Teaching and Managing the Teaching & Learning Process.
Experience
I'm a proficient English speaker, I sit both IELTS and TOEFL every two years in order to keep up to date with the way those exams change, I've been teaching for a long time, mostly preparing people for tests but also for immigration purposes.
Education/Credentials
IELTS Academic: 8.0/9.0 (88.89% - C2).
TOEFL: 104/120 (86.67% - C2).
MET: 153/200 (76.5% - C1+).
PET: 99/100 (99% - Pass with Merit).
BEC-P: 84/100 (84% - Pass with Merit).
TKT - Full Suite: Band 3 (75+%).
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.